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York Knights 52-12 West Bowling - Match Report


York Knights secured their place in the Fourth Round of the Betfred Challenge Cup after beating West Bowling 52-12 at the LNER Community Stadium.


Liam Harris, Brad Ward and Bailey Antrobus each finished with braces while milestone pair Matty Marsh - making his 100th York appearance - and Danny Kirmond - on his 350th career appearance - marked their momentous occasions with tries. Joe Brown and AJ Towse were also on the scoresheet.


Impact Performance National Conference League Division One side West Bowling could leave the LNER Community Stadium with their heads held high though after crossing for two tries, through Max Trueman and Oliver Bartle, just rewards for the endeavour they showed, particularly in defence.


The Knights however were never in doubt of securing a convincing win, racking up an 18-0 lead inside the first quarter of an hour.


Bailey Antrobus offloaded to put Josh Daley in the clear before the hooker released Liam Harris to score his first try of the season under the posts. Harris converted his own try, the first of six goals in 11 attempts.


Towse then dived in down the left flank following some quick Knights hands before Marsh's left-foot step took him over the line.


West Bowling responded just three minutes later though. After a successful short restart, Trueman cut through a gap, with Harry Williams adding the conversion.


Normal service resumed as York found two further tries in the space of four minutes. Ward showed his acrobatics with a stunning finish by the corner flag and Brown got in on the act when he finished Kirmond's line-break.


Kirmond and Ta'ai were both denied tries on double movement as West Bowling ensured the floodgates did not open.


But there remained time in the first half for Harris to find room between two goal-line defenders for a 32-6 lead at the break.


The Knights just eight second-half minutes to pick up from where they left off as Antrobus wrestled over despite being surrounded by three defenders.


Ta'ai's forward charge then began the move for Ward to again leap in at the right corner and spectacularly finish.


West Bowling dug in to keep the hosts scoreless for 20 minutes and score themselves as prop Bartle barged over for a consolation, with Williams converting once more.


The visitors' momentum was halted when Trueman was sin-binned for a high shot on Harry Price, allowing the Knights to score twice more with the man advantage.


Kirmond charged onto a Harris pass before Antrobus crashed over for his second.


York: Brown, Towse, Harrison, Clarkson, Ward, Marsh, Harris, Antrobus, Daley, Barnard, Dee, Kirmond, Michael.


Subs (all used): Jubb, Teanby, Ta’ai, Price.


Tries: Harris (5', 39'), Towse (9'), Marsh (13'), Ward (23', 52'), Brown (27'), Antrobus (48', 76'),

Kirmond (73').


Goals: Harris (6/11)


Bowling: Trueman, Taylor, Wright, Gregory, Simpson, Williams, Coe, Lynam, Carter, Bartle, Lumb, Milburn, Cousins.


Subs (all used): Darville, Light, Heald, Galtress.


Tries: Trueman (16'), Bartle (63')


Goals: Williams (2/2)


Sin Bin: Trueman (66')


Referee: Andy Sweet


Geoff Pryce Player of the Match in partnership with Isaac Poad Brewing: Bailey Antrobus

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